by Eddie LeShure Born in Steubenville, Ohio, Wendy Hayes has always loved music and singing. However, being quite shy as a child, she would never sing front of anyone. Yet this shyness could not suppress her desire to communicate through music, and at age 12 she took up the flute. Continue Reading
by Eddie LeShure Over the past 35 years, pianist/composer Michael Jefry Stevens has been associated with some of the most important figures in modern jazz…and now Asheville gets to claim him! Born in New York City, Michael grew up in the projects of Queens, then moved at age eight toContinue Reading
by Eddie LeShure The steel pan, an amazing musical discovery born in the Caribbean nation of Trinidad & Tobago, is often associated with sandy beaches, tropical climates and cruise ships. That’s not exactly what you get from the jazz-fusion quartet, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra. What you do get is a classically-trainedContinue Reading
Richard Shulman by Eddie LeShure Pianist/composer Richard Shulman has been exploring consciousness through jazz in his recordings, performances and compositions since 1983. The intent behind his music is healing, connection, and the expression of beauty. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Richard began piano lessons at age seven.Continue Reading
The Asheville Original Music Series by Eddie LeShure The Asheville Original Music Series was created this past spring by bassist Mike Holstein and drummer Justin Watt, both local jazz artists, as a place to feature regional musicians and their compositions. According to Mike, “We wanted to create an environment whereContinue Reading
by Eddie LeShure Liberated State was formed in the spring of 2010 when trumpeter Sean Smith and vibraphonist Jason DeCristofaro met one another at a jazz jam in Asheville. “Sean and I played a version of Butterfly together at the jam, and upon hearing each other’s musical approach we bothContinue Reading
by Eddie LeShure For almost 30 years, drummer/singer Russ Wilson has worked as a professional musician and made a name for himself performing many varying styles of music including Rock, Country, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Dixieland, Big Band Swing, Bebop, pit work for Broadway style shows and Symphonic music. Of allContinue Reading
by Eddie LeShure Born in 1961 in Wayland, Massachusetts, art and music played a big part in Frank’s life from an early age. A local potter Margaret Hoenig taught classes for children that Frank attended, off and on, from age 6 through his teens. She was an incredibly inspiring womanContinue Reading
by Eddie LeShure “Post-adulthood” is the place that jazz guitarist Mark Guest now hangs his hat. “Don’t get me wrong, raising my kids was huge for me, but now that they’re grown and gone, well… life goes on!” says Mark. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Mark was actively gigging in theContinue Reading
